So, the nurse walks me to the entranceway of the hospital, we say our goodbyes, and I sat on a bench to wait for my ride. Just then, a middle-aged guy is being wheeled out by an attendant. The man has apprehension on his face. But looking over at me, he asks where I’m from. I tell him, and I also tell him he’s from Boston. He looks over at me, surprised that I knew, but his Boston accent was a dead giveaway. “What brings you here” I ask. “The old ticker” he replies. I say, “Life can be rough.” He gives me a look of hopelessness and resignation. His ride pulls up and the woman driver comes out to fetch him.
Just as the woman gets in to drive away, after tucking him in, I feel a strong impulse to pray for the man, so I get up and tap on his passenger-side window. “I believe the Lord wants me to pray for you; would that be o.k. with you?” The man brightened up and said, “Please do that.” And so, I said a short prayer, adding that he might draw closer to his creator in this time of need. The man thanked me, and they drove away. As he did so, I thought I detected a sigh of relief cross his smiling face. (How often have you had a stranger ask to pray for you?)
On another note, have you ever noticed how God fails to answer our prayers expeditiously when we are in supposed need? I have. But God is not Santa Claus or our heavenly grandfather who caters to our every whim. He demands acknowledgement, justice and a way of life that is an encouragement to others who don’t know Him.
Furthermore, when we are in want or need, God expects us to do all that we can until such a time that he can move to help us in His own unique way.
Speaking of resiliency, our bodies are made to withstand great pain and to repair itself and even overcome certain abnormalities; but if we abuse the rules of life that God Himself laid down, we will ultimately bring pain and suffering to ourselves, which is usually the case.
We often think we are the only ones suffering in this world, but it’s only human nature to think that way since we are always number one in our thoughts and actions.
Now consider the orphan child who’s never even been hugged by a loving parent, or one lying hopeless in the streets of a war-torn country. All of this is going on while we watch the Super Bowl at Outback Steakhouse waiting for our juicy steak, baked potato and salad. Thinking that way puts things in its proper perspective.
God watches all that’s taking place, and soon the starving child will be in His heavenly home, free of all distress and eating ice cream and cake. While this life is full of toil and trouble, it will one day end forever and we will live in perfect harmony with our beautiful surroundings – in heaven too.
We Christians believe we are the chosen of God, and indeed we are. But that doesn’t mean we will not suffer loss or go through fiery trials, enough so that we feel inclined to just give up, and that’s just what God expects us to do. We were never meant to live a fulfilling life in our own strength, although many people try. The result is that we spend many sleepless nights worrying about things that don’t really matter in the larger scheme of life.
God often shows up only when you’ve finally reached the end of your rope and are lying face down on the floor drenched in tears. That’s when your faith is being tested – as if by fire. Like the purest of gold, the heat is turned up and the dross of sin floats to the top and is skimmed off.
And so, the prudent Christian has given up on a selfish life and sees it all as vanity; for only when we throw our lives away for Christ’s sake can we really know what it means to live. Living life for the good of others is all we are asked to do “Thou shall love the Lord thy God and others as thyself” – for on these words rest the other commandments of God. Albeit, even in doing so, we haven’t been promised a “Rose garden” or reward – yet. That won’t happen until we appear before the seat of Christ where we will receive our just rewards.
Life is not easy for most of us, but if we keep focused on Christ Jesus who suffered tremendously for you and me, we can keep our head above water and bounce back with resiliency of spirit.
Ironically, the best that God can do for us is to take us home – away from all that encumbers us. But God wants us to be light in an ever-darkening world, a world that is increasingly turning away from Him.
The Bible touches on all facets of human suffering from illness, worry, pain, deformity, leprosy and demon possession; and Jesus healed them all – which is to say, that God can do anything. Don’t give up on Him. He’ll do what’s best for you – because He loves you.
So, stand up straight, take a deep breath and keep fighting with God as your shield and salvation. The worse that can happen is that you might be taken home to Him – and that’s a good thing.
As for me, I’m totally surprised by the resiliency of the human flesh and its ability to bounce back and heal itself through proper measures.
Note:
In doing research about my condition, I found out that Magnesium is an essential element for good health, and that most of us never get enough of it through our food since the soil that our food grows in has been depleted of that very essential nutrient.
I am taking medication and have begun going back to the gym, trusting God to do what’s best for me; but I continue praising Him for everything, both good and bad. (Sometimes the “bad” things that happen to us are for our own good and may even turn out for good to others that God has put us in contact with.)
BOOKS
I just finished “Unfreedom of the Press” by Mark R. Levin; and although he gets into specifics, he held my attention, and I had to agree with all he said. What a platform that learned man has! This book proved to be a worthwhile read. I strongly recommend it.
YBIC
Jim Towers
You can write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and visit www.dropzonedelta.org or visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com